Nestled in the iconic swath of verdant forest that marks Esvay Valley
where the rivers meet, sits Esvay Hold. Its courtyard surrounded by modest
fields and ringed with trees. From the courtyard you can even see the
small river dock where folks gather during timber and harvest season.
Everywhere life and color bloom, yet there's a sense of restraint about
the place, the flowerbeds and trees forcefully shaped into acceptable
forms by tradition and time. There is subtle evidence everywhere of
rebuilding, the foundations of the newer barns and some of the trees bear
evidence of scorch marks left some time ago. In the courtyard proper, only
one thing seems out of place, a magnificent flowering tree whose branches
have been left to grow as they please. It stands about fifty paces from
where two impressive oaks have been trained over generations to crown the
distinctive arch that marks the entry to the hold.
For as long as Edyis has known her stepmother, the woman had never made an unreasonable demand. Gretvyn would of course discuss, suggest, and guide but never demand. So when the letter came, demanding that Edyis should return home with the gentleman who took her south" it was with the expression of someone being staked out for thread that she explained the event to R'hin.
R'hin's reaction to the demand, at first surprised, quickly became amused -- which is never a good sign -- and by the end he was (almost alarmingly) enthusiastic, asking innocuous seeming questions about Gretvyn, what she did, and what she was like. Indeed, more questions filled the breaks between travel and arrival at Esvay, the bronzerider dressed deliberately in riding leathers.
To say that Edyis was already regretting following through with the demands would be an understatement. She did however fill in the pertinent details, namely that Gretvyn was her stepmother and other essentials, adding that she hadn't been back in almost two turns. Her nerves are showing, from the time it takes her to undo the buckles and slip into the snowy courtyard, to the way she stops to stare at the arched door. "Cron, will not be here, so that much is at least a relief. Just - don't scandalize them too much please?" It might be worth noting that Edyis opted for ladylike instead of practical for this particular trip.
R'hin, by contract, seems relaxed and confident as he strides alongside Edyis. He's wearing his Wingleader's knot, something he rarely bothers with, and the fact that he does today is by no happenstance. "Scandalize?" the bronzerider echoes, giving her a wounded look at the insinuation. "I can't imagine why you think I'd do that, little harper," he says, with a low-throated laugh. He's watching her, waiting for her to precede him through the archway.
Dark brows furrow, and R'hin gets a look he is used to seeing. Pushing through the heavy oak doors, she yelps when her stepmother is standing there waiting.
A woman of about 40 turns with iron grey eyes, and hair that is more grey than blonde. "Usually hello suffices sweetheart. I was beginning to think you both wouldn't arrive." Looking past her stepdaughter to appraise R'hin more fully, any surprise in her expression muted.
That look, naturally, receives yet another low-throated chuckle in response, R'hin's hand casually resting on Edyis' shoulder when she yelps, stopping a pace behind her. "Quite entirely my fault, dear lady. As you can imagine, my duties keep me quite occupied." Stepping past Edyis, he gives a gallant bow, overplaying it just enough, a hint of a smile tracing his lips as he straightens seeks to catch and hold Gretvyn's eyes. "I'm very pleased to finally meet you," he says, like somehow someone has been keeping them apart all this time.
There's cheekiness to the expanding smile Gretvyn gives in response. "And here I was under the impression that some strapping young bronzerider had set his hooks in my very impressionable young daughter, actually my other two daughters were quite convinced of this. Regardless I'm sure it is your fault. Edyis was always such a quiet obedient little girl growing up."
Edyis flushes, and is giving everyone is getting dirty looks. "Gretvyn this is R'hin, Savannah's Wingleader. " She explains. "R'hin, this is my stepmother Gretvyn. And you know why I didn't come back, and that it has very little to do with Savannah." She points out with irritation.
"At least you're not disputing that I'm strapping -- I'll take that as a compliment," R'hin replies, laughingly. Despite the mood, he seems cheerfully at ease, countering, "One should never mistake quietness for obedience, dear lady. Your step daughter is rather quick-witted, and is proving an exceptional assistant to Master Jeroman, and to my wing." The bronzerider glances sidelong at Edyis, taking in her mood in a quick glance, though his expression doesn't change. "I'd offer to take on your daughters, too, but I'm afraid my Weyrleader would be quite distraught at the idea of me stealing all your talented daughters away."
A blonde brow lifts, at the response and her lips curl. A sharp look directed at Edyis. "Sweetheart why don't you go find your little brother and say hello, I'd like to have a chat with your charming friend." Gretvyn's smile is displaying her teeth prominently.
Edyis? She just looks between the pair, with whatever arguments she'd been about to give lost at the command. "Yes Ma'am." Disappearing down the corridor.
R'hin certainly doesn't seem opposed, and though his gaze flickers after Edyis, it quickly returns to the older woman. "Shall we take a walk?" he suggests, offering an elbow to the woman.
"You seem to have read my thoughts, R'hin isn't it?" She states taking his arm after Edyis departs. "While I would certainly agree that she has talents, perhaps you can understand my concern when she suddenly disappears south with someone who appears to me to be a complete stranger eager to take advantage of her desire to please." Guiding him down the dimly lit corridor with relative ease, "What would you think in my position?"
R'hin senses Gretvyn leans a little, using the arm for support.
"I have daughters her age," R'hin says, as if that's answer enough -- and it probably is as far as he's concerned. He steers them out of sight of the hold, his pace casual as he casts a sidelong glance at Gretvyn. Eventually, though, he adds, "She could stay here, and eventually get married and have children and live out her life. But that would be a waste of her talents -- we both know this. She can be much more, and she can live a happy and fulfilled life. That's all any parent wants for their child, no?" The fingers of his other hand that brush her arm are just a seeking of understanding, surely.
"Forgive me if I find that less than reassuring, unless you are saying that you think of her the same as you would one of your own daughters." And at his assumptions, Gretvyn sighs. "I want her to be happy, but she's very much like her mother was at her age. That's part of why I was the one to push her to accept. What I don't want is her to continue to look for approval in someone who may or may not have her best interests in mind." Patting his hand on her arm with a sigh. "Frankly, I'm relieved that you weren't much younger than you are. I thought I'd be having a very different conversation, and getting out the pitchfork."
"I've never tried to take advantage of Edyis, if that's what you're concerned about," and R'hin, while sounding affronted, has the grace not to press the point overlong. "I don't know what stories you've heard, but not every rider seeks to take advantage of hapless young holder girls. And your step daughter is not incapable of taking care of herself, besides." If the words come with a distinct haughtiness, well -- that's probably not unintentional.
Gretvyn rolls her eyes. "Are all riders this uptight. Or is it simply that humor is lost on you?" It's probably that Gretvyn's sense of humor is about as dry as the Igen desert. "And yet she followed without a second thought to a different continent." Though she gives him a strange look when he mentions Edyis taking care of herself. "Are we talking about the same girl? Last I checked she was always on the losing end of fights with her brothers."
"No one likes their honor impugned, rider or no," R'hin replies, not-so-casually, though his tone eases into something lighter as he continues: "And forgive me, dear lady, but you no longer know her. You knew the girl who left, three Turns ago. She's now a woman, and she's travelled Pern, made her own way, and is becoming the person she's meant to be. It can be hard to let go of one's girls, but," he leans close to Gretvyn's ear as if preparing to share a secret, murmuring, "Trust me. She'll be fine."
The woman laughs, "She's still very much a girl, or she wouldn't have scampered off like that." She wobbles, a little before recovering her footing. "I can't picture her all grown up yet, but she's improved considerably. She stood up to her brother, which is saying something." She moves to steer them back toward the hold. "Trusting you would put my mind at ease, but unlike my daughter I barely know you. So allow me to have my prejudices a little while longer."
The Wingleader allows himself to be guided back towards the Hold, keeping easy pace with the hostess. "Then," R'hin's voice is full of a mix of suggestiveness and amusement, like he's deliberately playing into the stereotype when he says, "Perhaps we should spend some more time together. Just to ease your mind."
Rich laughter pours out of the woman at that suggestiveness. So much that she starts coughing. Turning her head away until it dissipates. When she can breathe she answers, "Maybe a few turns ago, but I would rather not give the poor girl something to faint over. However, If you will accompany her, or make sure at least that she visits home for holidays and family gatherings, I will consider it."
R'hin takes the demurral with the good graces of one unbothered by the rejection, clucking his tongue briefly at her laughter even while a smile flickers around his lips. "Family is important," seems to suffice by way of response, not quite a promise, but conceding her point.
Gretvyn smiles now, catching her breath, "I'm sorry it's just been turns," another cough covered. "Since anyone's flirted with me. I mean it, she doesn't have to be here with her brother, but there's only so much time left before - before they all leave the nest for good." She states after a moment of searching for the words, leading them into the hold proper, still working to catch her breath, but smiling.
"My dear lady," R'hin says with a low-throated chuckle, "She's already left." With a pat of hand to the woman's hand, he releases her forearm as they pass through the arch, though he stays close, just inside her personal space in a way that's no doubt designed to make her aware of him. "Have I at least earned myself an invitation to a meal?"
"Until the day that you make yourself unwelcome." Grinning widely and bracing a hand against the corridor as they make their way inside. Her smile is so wide in fact, that the six turn old boy with dishwater curls and Edyis herself both give them strange accusatory looks. Gretvyn is flushed flashing her daughter the most evil smile. "Seems you've made a very charming friend Edyis." To which Edyis gives R'hin a look of just what did you do to my stepmother.
R'hin, for his part, feigns innocence at Edyis' look, giving an easy sort of smile, "Can I help with setting the table?" Of course, that's just an excuse to redirect talk away from himself, and what they discussed, and back onto far more casual topics for the duration of the meal.
The rest of the evening goes smoothly enough, with light conversation and Gretvyn sending Edyis home with a few early turnday gifts incase she didn't make it back home before then. Undoubtedly the scribe will wait until they are headed back to the weyr to badger the poor rider.
R'hin, for his part, gives her one of those mysterious and equally annoying grins, and merely suggests Edyis shouldn't worry so much about Gretvyn. Of course, he has the advantage of telling her this after he's dropped her off, so that Leiventh can leap away to prevent any follow-up.
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